This Sunday is called Meatfare Sunday since it is traditionally the last day before Easter for eating meat. Orthodox Christians observe a [[fast]] from meat all week, but still eat dairy products and eggs till the start of Great Lent.

This Sunday is called Meatfare Sunday since it is traditionally the last day before Easter for eating meat. Orthodox Christians observe a [[fast]] from meat all week, but still eat dairy products and eggs till the start of Great Lent.

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The [[Gospel]] reading this Sunday remembers [[Christ]]'s parable of the Last Judgment ([[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 25:31-46). This adds to the previous pre-Lent Sundays and teaches that it is not enough to see Jesus, to see ourselves as we are, and to come home to God as his prodigal sons. The Church teaches that, in addition, one must also be God’s sons by following Christ, his only-begotten divine Son, and by seeing Christ in everyone and by serving Christ through them.

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The [[Gospel]] reading this Sunday remembers [[Christ]]'s [[parable]] of the Last Judgment ([[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 25:31-46). This adds to the previous pre-Lent Sundays and teaches that it is not enough to see Jesus, to see ourselves as we are, and to come home to God as his prodigal sons. The Church teaches that, in addition, one must also be God’s sons by following Christ, his only-begotten divine Son, and by seeing Christ in everyone and by serving Christ through them.

Salvation and final judgment will depend upon deeds, not merely on intentions or even on the mercies of God apart from personal cooperation and obedience. All piety and prayer is ultimately directed towards the goal of serving Christ through his people.

Salvation and final judgment will depend upon deeds, not merely on intentions or even on the mercies of God apart from personal cooperation and obedience. All piety and prayer is ultimately directed towards the goal of serving Christ through his people.

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==Hymn==

==Hymn==

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[[Troparion]] (Tone 1)

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[[Kondakion]] (Tone 1)

:When You, O God, shall come to earth with glory,

:When You, O God, shall come to earth with glory,

:All things shall tremble

:All things shall tremble

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:And make me worthy to stand at Your right hand, righteous Judge!

:And make me worthy to stand at Your right hand, righteous Judge!

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==External link==

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==External links==

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* [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=5 Sunday of Meatfare of the Last Judgment]from [[OCA]] web site.

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*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=5 Sunday of Meatfare of the Last Judgment] ([[OCA]])

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*[http://lent.goarch.org/judgement/learn/ Sunday of the Last Judgement, Meatfare Sunday (The Third Sunday of the Triodion Period)] ([[GOARCH]])

This Sunday is called Meatfare Sunday since it is traditionally the last day before Easter for eating meat. Orthodox Christians observe a fast from meat all week, but still eat dairy products and eggs till the start of Great Lent.

The Gospel reading this Sunday remembers Christ's parable of the Last Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46). This adds to the previous pre-Lent Sundays and teaches that it is not enough to see Jesus, to see ourselves as we are, and to come home to God as his prodigal sons. The Church teaches that, in addition, one must also be God’s sons by following Christ, his only-begotten divine Son, and by seeing Christ in everyone and by serving Christ through them.

Salvation and final judgment will depend upon deeds, not merely on intentions or even on the mercies of God apart from personal cooperation and obedience. All piety and prayer is ultimately directed towards the goal of serving Christ through his people.

From the reading, the faithful hear:

… for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you took me in, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and in prison and you visited me. …. For truly I say to you, if you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me (Matthew 25 ).